Scheduling your CPA exam with Prometric CPA testing centers is kind of confusing the first time you do it. Like everything with the CPA exam application process, there’s a right way to schedule your exam date and there’s a wrong way.
Unfortunately, if you do this step wrong, you will probably end up paying a bunch of extra fees and waste some time on your journey to becoming a Certified Public Accountant. Therefore, let’s talk about scheduling your CPA examination the right way and go over a few tips that you can use to make sure things go smoothly along the way.
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What is a Prometric Testing Center?
Before we talk about the steps to schedule your test, let’s talk about what Prometric actually is. Prometric CPA is not affiliated with the AICPA, NASBA, or any state board of accountancy. It’s simply a company that specializes in administering professional exams.
The CPA exam isn’t the only accounting test that Prometric administers. Prometric is also responsible for the CMA exam as well as many other exams for different professions like law and medical licensure exams.
Prometric has test centers all over the country, so chances are there will be one in your area. However, it’s not uncommon for candidates to drive an hour or more to the nearest testing center.
Steps to Scheduling Your CPA Exam with Prometric
- Go to the Prometric website
- Click Schedule Exam and Agree to Terms
- Enter Your Exam ID and Last Name
- Pick a Location and Time
- Schedule Your Exam
Before we can actually go through the steps to scheduling your exam, we need to figure a few things out first. For example, where is the best place to take the exam and on what day should you schedule it?
Get Your Notice to Schedule (NTS)
Before you can even think about scheduling your CPA exam, you will need to finish your application process and receive approval from your state board. Once you are approved for a section, they will send you an NTS with an ID number. You will need this in order to schedule any test at Prometric. Once you have it, you can start thinking about where you want to take the exam.
Find the Best Prometric Testing Center Location
Where is the best Prometric testing center location to schedule your CPA exam? Well, that depends on where you live and where you think you will be, come exam time. For example, if you are a student in Michigan and get a job offer for a firm in Chicago, you can schedule your exam in Illinois. That’s the cool thing about Prometric. You don’t have to take the exam in your home state or the state that you are planning to get licensed in.
That being said, 9 times out of 10 it’s best to pick the testing center location that is closest to where you live. Go on their website to find the nearest location to your house. Chances are, there is one within an hour driving distance.
CPA Exam Tip: After you pick out your testing center location, drive over there before your exam date. This way you will know where it is and how to get there on your exam date. The last thing you need to be thinking about before your exam is being stressed over finding the testing center.
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When to Schedule Your Exam
What is the best time to schedule your CPA exam? The CPA testing windows are available two months out of each quarter, so you can schedule your exam anytime within those windows. Keep in mind that you only have 6 months from receiving your NTS to schedule your exam. If you don’t schedule it within that 6-month time period, you will lose your exam fees for that section of the exam and have to pay them again to reregister.
CPA Exam Scheduling Tip: Don’t wait to sign up for your exam. The testing centers aren’t that big, so they tend to fill up quickly on certain dates. You should plan on scheduling your exam 3-4 weeks before your testing date to make sure it doesn’t fill up.
Can You Reschedule Your CPA Exam?
You are able to reschedule your CPA exam online through the Prometric website, but it isn’t always free. The longer you wait to reschedule, the more it will cost you.
Here’s a summary of the rescheduling fees and costs.
| Time Before Scheduled Exam | Rescheduling Fees |
|---|---|
| 30+ Days | No Fees |
| 5 – 30 Days | $35 |
| 1 – 4 Days | Full Exam Fees |
| Less Than 24 Hours | Can’t Reschedule |
What Day is Best to Schedule Your Exam?
This is a somewhat common question for first-time candidates. There is no real best day of the week to schedule your exam. Some people prefer to take their exams on Mondays because it gives them the entire weekend to cram for the test.
Other candidates prefer the middle of the week simply because they can get out of work to take the exam.
Honestly, it doesn’t matter which day you actually take the exam. The important thing is what you do leading up to the exam day. If taking it on Monday will help you prepare, then take it on Monday. The same is true about any other day of the week.
What to Bring to Prometric on Exam Day?
What should you bring to Prometric on your exam day? There are a few things that you need to make sure you bring to the testing center on your exam day.
- Two forms of ID
- NTS
- Directions if you need them
You won’t be able to sit for the exam without your ID and NTS. Make sure you have these before you leave the house. Also, it’s a good idea to bring directions to the testing center just in case you forget where it is.
Get Ready for Your Exam
Now that you know how to schedule your exam, you need to make sure you are prepared for it. If you haven’t used a CPA cram course before, you should probably look into it. They are a huge help in the weeks before the exam date. Here’s a list of the top review courses that offer cram courses. Check them out for yourself.
